TAVARES — Lake County Emergency Management is tracking Tropical Depression 9 as it is forecast to strengthen during the next 48 hours and is expected to become a tropical storm today. The Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is currently at Level 3 – Monitoring. Staff is communicating with the National Weather Service for the most up-to-date information and will adjust the EOC activation levels as needed.

“East-Central Florida impacts are currently forecasted to be heavy rainfall of three to seven inches through Thursday with rainy, squally weather and a chance for isolated tornadoes,” said Tommy Carpenter, Manager of Lake County Emergency Management. “There is still some uncertainty in the forecast as to how strong Tropical Depression 9 will develop and the entirety of impacts to Lake County, so we are urging residents to make proper preparations, remain weather aware, ensure they have a working NOAA weather radio and monitor local media outlets.”

Sandbags are available at four Lake County fire stations. Residents must bring their own shovels, and are allowed to take 20 bags of sand per household. Pickup hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. at the following locations:

Fire Station 1023023 State Road 40
Astor Fire

Station 14
42700 State Road 19
Altoona

Fire Station 53
2505 Spring Lake Road
Fruitland Park Fire

Station 110
6234 County Road 561
Clermont

To avoid flooding dangers, never drive through flooded roadways and be especially cautious when driving at night. Residents are encouraged to develop a family communication plan, decide on a meeting location in the case of an emergency, and prepare a disaster go-kit, including important personal, medical and legal papers, stored in a safe place. To find out more about what should go into this kit, visit www.ready.gov.

For more information, visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/emergency and follow Emergency Management at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyFLEmergencyManagement and www.twitter.com/lakeemergency.